Folding table



INVENTOR ,ATTO R N EY Dec. 10, 1929. c s

FOLDING TABLE Filed Nov. 7. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet Dec. 10, 1929. c s1,739,449

FOLDING TABLE Filed. Nov. 7. 1927 I 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 flaw/I7 17 07298 QlNVENTOR ATTo'R N EY Patented Dec. 10, 1929 PATENT OFFICE MAX H. 'ECKES,F KIEL, WISCONSIN FOLDING TABLE Application filed November 7, 1927.Serial No. 231,660.

My present invention has reference to a foldable table of a constructionand arrangement to permit of the same being folded into compact form andcarried on automobiles or other vehicles for campers use, and likewisefoldable into a. small package for storage in a home after the table hasbeen employed as a card table. 7

An object is the provision of a table that shall comprisetwo flangedsections which are hingedly associated and which carry foldable legsthat are snugly housed in the sections when the table is folded and thatare set up in a rigid manner when the table is in use, there being asupporting bar slidably associated with the inner flange of one of thetable sections, and movable transversely through alining openings inboth sections, for supporting the said sections in proper alinement whenthe table is set up.

A further object is the provision of novel means for hingedly connectingthe legs of the table sections, means for bracing the said legs when 1ntable supporting position and means for locking the bracing means.

For a full and comprehensive understanding of the improvement and theadvantages thereof, reference is to be had to the drawings whichaccompany and form part of this specification and wherein there isillustrated one, satisfactory embodiment of the improvement. W

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improvement infolded condition and presenting a carrying casing.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view showing the table sections in spreadcondition. 0

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the improvement insetup condii Figure 7 is a fragmentary edge view of one pair of the pivotedbrace straps, with a slidable lock therefor in section.

As disclosed by the drawings, the improvement, when in folded conditionprovides a carrying case. The improvement contemplates the employment oftwo substantially rectangular members 1 and 2, respectively, and each ofthese members is provided with a continuous flange 3. On the edgesof-the end flanges 3 of the sections 1 and 2 there are secured metalstraps 4 that have interengaging butts or barrels at their confrontingends for the reception of the pivots. The hinge straps 4 are let in theflanges 3 and the, base of the barrel portion of the hinge is also letin'the longitudinal flanges of the said sections. This effects a neatbut simple and strong hinge connection between the table sections.

On the outer flanges of the sections 1 and '2, there are co-engaginglatching elements 5 and in one of the said flanges there is swingablysupported a substantially U-shaped handle 6. By this arrangement it willbe seen that when the sections are folded against of the flangedsections 1 and 2 there are secured blocks 6, and pivotally secured toeach of these blocks there is a leg member 7. On the end or side flangesof the said sections 1 and 2, adjacent to the diagonal corners of thesaid sections opposite that on which the blocks '6 are secured, thereare fixed plates 8. Each of the plates 8 has its ends ofl'set, as at 9,and 10, respectively. The plates thus provide substantially U-shapedbrackets'and to the inner flanges 10 of each of the brackets 8 there ispivoted a leg member 11 similar to the leg members 7. To the outerflanges 9 of the brackets 8 there are pivoted the ofiset end ofangularly disposed brace members 12 and these brace members are likewisepivoted to the leg members 11. Substantially L- shaped brackets 13 aresecured to the inner faces of the opposite end flanges of the sections 1and 2, and to the outstanding element of each of these flanges there ispivoted the offset end of angle brace members 14 which in turn arepivoted to the leg members 7.

To the side flanges of the sections 1 and 2, at a suitable distance awayfrom the blocks 6, there are pivoted the inner links 15 of strap braeesfor the legs 7, the outer straps 16 beii g pivoted to the said 'legs 7.The brace straps 15 and 16 have lapping ends which are pivoted, as at17. The brace members 15, at a suitable distance from the pivot 17, haveoutstanding lugs 18 that are received in notches 19 in the brace straps16. Slidable on the brace strap 16 there are the cross sectionallyU-shaped locking elements 19 for the jointed ends of the brace straps 15and 16. Each of the locking members 19 has an inwardly directed flangeor lug 20 designed to rest on the lug 18 of the end of the brace strap15 on which the lug is formed. The locks 19 are freely slidable upon thestraps 16, so it will be apparent that when the legs are swung to set upposition these locks will gravitate on the straps 16 until the flange 20contacts with the lugs 18 and the outer ends of the straps 15. As theU-shaped locks fully cover the joint between the brace straps thesebrace members are thus automatically locked in longitudinal alinement.By simply sliding the locks off of the joint the brace straps may befolded when the legs are to be swung into the table sections.

Similar brace means is provided forv the inner leg members 14, but inthis instance, the inner brace straps are pivotally supported onupstanding brackets 21 on the inner face of the sections 1 and 2, thesestraps for distinction being indicated by the numeral 22 and thecooperating straps which are pivoted to the legs 11 by the numeral 23.The slidable lock is indicated by the numeral 24. As the constructionand operation is similar to that previously described, a detaildescription in connection with these braces is not believed centralnotch or opening 25 therein.

necessary. 7

The inner side flanges of the table sections 1 and 2, which are incontacting engagement with each other when the sections are swung intoalinement with each other have each a On the inner face of one of theseflanges there is fixed a plate 26 having a T-shaped end 27 which isoffset or arranged angular with respect to the plate. The T-shaped endor head 27 of the plate 26 is received in the groove 28 in one face of asupporting bar 29. The groove 28 is partly closed by plates 30 that aresecured on the face or edge of the bar 29, and these plates are receivedin the notches or grooves provided between the plate 26 and its T-shaped head 27. By this arrangement it'will 0 be seen that the bar 29may be moved and guided in its movement through the openings 25 so thatthe same will cont-act with the under faces of both the sections 1 and 2and also by this arragement it will be noted that the bar will be movedthrough the openings and thereafter swung upon the T-head of the plate26 to arrange the same against the inner face of one of the side flangesof one of the table sections, as disclosed by the dotted lines in Figure2 of the drawings. Also by this arrangement it will be seen that thesupporting bar is at all times retained in the device and is sustainedin a position for immediate use when employed as a brace or support forthe table sections. It is to be noted that the plates 30 cover only partof the groove 28 in the bar 9, and that by bending or arranging theT-shaped head 27 at an angle with respect to the said plate that theedges of the walls provided by notches or passages between the head andplate are so arranged with respect to each other that the plates 30 willfind a comparative free passage through these slots or notches when thebar 29 is moved through the openings 25 in the contacting flanges of thetable sections, that when the said bar is moved to inactive position, orto the dotted .line position in Figure 5 the walls providedhold the bar29 firmly against the inner.

flanges of one of the table sections. This is an important feature ofthe invention inasmuch as the frictional engagement exerted between theT-head of the plate 26 and the plates 30 will hold the bar 29 from freelongitudinal movement when in inactive position. In the section 1 thereis fixed a socket member 31 that receives one end of the bar thereinwhen the bar is in supporting position and on the other section 2 thereis fixed an angle keeper 32 for the opposite end of the said bar when insupporting position.

My improvement isof a simple construction and may be cheaplymanufactured and commercialized. The improvement when not in useprovides a carrying case which, as previously stated, is light so thatthe same can be conveniently carried. When in such condition theimprovement may be readily' stored in a small space in an automobile orin a dwelling. The improvement may be easily and quickly set up toprovide a table and the sections constituting the top of the table areeffectively supported by the bar 29 and set up in a sturdy manner by therigidly braced legs. The locking means for the legs is automaticinaction inasmuch as the same gravitate over the brace straps which areconnected to the table sections and 'over the joint of these straps withthe straps that are pivotally connected with the leg members. I haveherein set forth a satisfactory embodiment of my improvement as it nowappears to me but obviously I do not wish to be restricted to theprecise details of such construction and,

therefore, hold myself entitled to make such changes therefrom asfairlyfall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, I claim In combination with a foldabletable which comprises two hingedly connected flanged sections that havepivotally supported therein foldable legs andbraces for said legs, saidsections at their confronting and hinged edges having their flangesprovided with aligning openings, of a plate on one of said flangeshaving a T-shaped end which is arranged angularly with respect to theplate. and disposed opposite the openings, :1 grooved bar, platespartially closing the groove in the bar, fixed to said bar and slidablein the notches between the T-head and the body. plates therefor anddesigned, when moved through the openings to find a free passagethroughsaid notches, a keeper and socket for engaging the bar when so moved,

and said bar, when moved through the openings and brought against theflange of one of the sections designed to be frictionally engaged by theopposed walls of said notches and thereby sustained from accidentallongitudinal movement. 7

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' MAX H. ECKES

